‘It pushed me into believing I could’

BRITISH ASIAN SINGING STAR GEETA JHALA REVEALS THE MOST MAGICAL MUSICAL MOMENTS OF HER LIFE

by ASJAD NAZIR

Today Geeta Jhala performs all over the world and releases songs that show off her impressive singing talent.

Her forthcoming projects include an urban Gujarati song and a high-profile collaboration with famous music producer Rishi Rich.

These and other big projects the British artist has on the way are the latest chapters in a musical journey that can be traced back to her childhood. The connection with songs has been so strong that they have helped to define different chapters in her life.

With that in mind, Eastern Eye got Geeta Jhala to tell us about her life in songs.

My earliest memory of any song is…Har Taraf Har Jagah by Jagjit Singh. I was about four years old when it released and could sing almost every word. I guess it was the first song I unknowingly learned by just listening to it.

A song connected to a childhood memory is…Ek Do Teen from the Bollywood movie Tezaab. I literally performed this song at every house and party I got invited to. It was like an amazing anthem for me. I still love the song.

Another song that is connected to a childhood memory is…Kitna Mushkil Hain Dekho from the film Agni Sakshi. Not only was I in love with the song and sang it everywhere, but I also believed I was Manisha Koirala.

A song by someone who influenced me musically growing up is…I Know I Can by Nas. This came out, I think, during my secondary school days and I loved its meaning. It pushed me into believing I could be more than what people expected from me and so it really motivated me.

The first song that I performed live was…Zara Zara from the film Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein. It was the first song I actually performed with a band and I then went on to perform it in a lot of places, including my first big live performance. I remember performing it live with a grand piano opening for Atif Aslam in Manchester during his UK tour in 2011. Even today, I sing it at my live shows.

The first song I recorded was…my very own composition Nachle Sohniya. I recorded this in East London and released it. It went on to top the Sunrise charts in 2011. This song is so special to me and was my first big step towards where I am now.

A song connected to a really fond memory is…when I re-fixed PMC track Moorni in 2012 for the Bobby Friction show. It paved the way for me to come to India and I’ve been working here successfully ever since. The massive success of that song changed a lot of things for me.

A song connected to an important moment…is Man Ki Lagan from the movie Paap. I used to listen to this a lot when I first starting seeing my fiancé so it’s special and reconnects me to that time.

A song by an artist I love…is an impossible choice because there are so many songs by great artists around the world. So it’s hard to pick one, but I guess Your Still The One by Shania Twain. I just absolutely love her voice along with the composition and depth this song has.

A song that helps me is…Chupke Chupke by Ghulam Ali. Not only does this song help me improve my singing style, but it just relaxes me completely. I feel like I’m in a different world when I hear this timeless track.

A song that brings back a beautiful memory is…the title track from the Bollywood movie Welcome Back, which I sang, wrote and composed with Mika Singh and Music MG. It’s so special because it was my entry in Bollywood and really well received.

A song I have had on repeat recently is…Mere Sohneya from the movie Kabir Singh. It is composed wonderfully well by my talented friend Parampara and Sachet. It is such a beautiful song and deserves all the praise it has received.

My forthcoming releases are…two songs I am really proud of. One is an urban Gujarati song and it is something with a flavour that’s never been done before in the language. The second is a collaboration with UK’s finest Rishi Rich. I am really looking forward to sharing them both with you. Look out for both!

I love music because…it’s the most beautiful way to express emotion in every way. Through writing, listening, dancing, composing or dedicating songs to those you love, music captures so many hearts.